1. Classic Messy Space Buns
The original space bun look - two high, slightly undone buns with a few face-framing pieces left loose. The messiness is what makes them look effortless and cute rather than stiff, and it forgives imperfect technique, so it is the most beginner-friendly version of all. It reads playful and a little nostalgic, suiting festivals, gym days and casual weekends alike, on almost any length or texture. Wrap the buns loosely, tug them wider for volume, and pull out a few soft strands at the front.
Who it suits: Everyone; especially great on second-day hair.
Tip: Tug gently at the buns to loosen them and pull out a few face-framing strands.
2. Sleek High Space Buns
Smoothed and gelled for a polished finish, sleek high space buns look sharp and intentional - the grown-up, going-out counterpart to the messy version. Where messy reads casual, this clean pull-back reads confident and done, and it photographs beautifully thanks to the glossy, streak-free surface. It suits nights out, events and anytime you want to feel dressed up, and works best on straight, wavy or smoothed hair. Apply gel in sections with a slick-back brush from the part outward, set the buns high, then lay your edges with a toothbrush of edge control for a crisp finish.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting a polished, dressed-up version.
Tip: Use gel or a slick-back brush and a toothbrush of edge control for a clean finish.
3. Low Nape Space Buns
Placed low at the nape rather than high on the head, these read softer and more office-appropriate while keeping the double-bun cuteness intact. The lower position instantly makes the style feel grown-up and wearable, and gravity helps the buns hold comfortably through a long day. It suits work, school and low-key days on medium to long hair of any texture. Sit the two buns just below the ears, keep them level with a clean part, smooth any flyaways, and add a few soft face-framing pieces if you want to take the edge off the pull-back.
Who it suits: Work, school and low-key days.
4. Half-Up Space Buns
Taking only the top section into two buns and leaving the rest down gives a half-up space bun - cute and playful at the crown while keeping all your length on show. It is the easiest version too, since you only gather a small section, and it flatters the face without fully scraping the hair back. It suits anyone who loves wearing their hair down but wants a little something, on medium to long hair. Take a clean section from the temples, set the buns level, and wave the loose length.
Who it suits: Anyone who wants to keep their length down.
5. Braided Space Buns
Adding a braid that leads up into each bun makes the style feel more intricate and festival-ready without much extra effort, and the plait keeps stray length tidy on the way to the bun. It is an easy upgrade from plain buns that reads considered and a little boho. It suits festivals and anyone wanting a step up from basic, across lengths and textures. Braid each front section toward the bun and feed the tail in; a two-strand twist is a quicker alternative that looks just as cute.
Who it suits: Festivals and anyone wanting a step up from basic.
Tip: A simple two-strand twist up to the bun is quicker than a braid and looks just as cute.
6. Space Buns with Face-Framing Pieces
Leaving out a couple of curled or straightened face-framing pieces softens the whole look and flatters the face, taking the severity out of a full pull-back. It is the easiest way to make space buns feel styled rather than scraped back, and it works with any bun height or finish. This suits anyone who finds a complete pull-back too harsh, on every length and texture. Gather the rest into your buns, then release a piece at each temple and curl or smooth it, setting it lightly.
Who it suits: Anyone who finds a full pull-back too severe.
7. Bubble Braid Space Buns
Segmenting the hair with small elastics into bubble braids before the buns adds a fun, trendy texture that leads playfully up into each bun. It looks intricate but needs no braiding skill at all - just a row of tiny elastics and a gentle puff of each section. This suits festivals and playful, trend-forward looks, and works best on medium to long hair with a bit of body. Space the clear elastics evenly down each front section, gently puff the hair between them into rounded bubbles, then coil the ends into neat buns at the top.
Who it suits: Festivals and playful, trend-forward looks.
8. Twisted Space Buns
Twisting each ponytail into a tight rope before coiling it into a bun creates a neat, textured finish that grips itself and holds well through the day. The twist naturally spirals into a tidy bun, so it is a cleaner, longer-lasting alternative to a plain wrapped bun and takes barely any extra time. This suits anyone wanting a neater, longer-lasting bun, and works on most lengths and textures. Twist both ponytails in the same direction, wind each into a bun, and pin the tail down so the rope stays wound and the shape stays defined.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting a neater, longer-lasting bun.
9. Curly Space Buns
On curly hair, space buns become big, voluminous and full of texture, which looks gorgeous and needs no padding to fill out. The natural curl gives the buns instant body, and leaving some curls out at the front keeps them soft and shows off the pattern around the face. This suits curly and coily hair for everyday, festivals and beyond. Do not brush the curls out; gather each side gently by hand to keep the definition and volume, coil into buns, pull a few curls free at the temples, and pin softly so the shape stays full.
Who it suits: Curly and coily hair.
Tip: Do not brush curls out - gather gently to keep definition and volume.
10. Short Hair Space Buns
Even bob-length hair can do mini space buns - small, low buns made from your short length, with any too-short pieces pinned flat or left out as a design feature. Keeping them mini and lower down is the trick that makes the style work on a bob, proof that space buns are not just for long hair. This suits short and bob-length hair for casual everyday looks. Use extra pins and a little product for grip, and style the shortest pieces as face-framing detail.
Who it suits: Short and bob-length hair.
Tip: Use extra pins and a little product for grip on short lengths.
11. Ribbon-Wrapped Space Buns
Wrapping a thin ribbon around each bun adds an instant cute, coquette-inspired touch, the trailing ends and little bows giving the style a soft, girly finish. Accessories like this are the easiest way to elevate a simple space bun for a date or a special occasion without any extra styling skill. This suits anyone who loves a soft, girly finish, and works on most lengths and textures. Coil each bun first, then wind a satin ribbon around the base, tie it in a small bow, and match the colour to your outfit for a pretty, put-together look.
Who it suits: Anyone who loves a soft, girly finish.
12. Space Buns with Bangs
Space buns and bangs are a match made in cute heaven - the fringe softens the pulled-back style and frames the face, giving something soft at the front while all your length sits up in the buns. It balances the look so it never feels too severe, and it suits blunt, wispy or curtain bangs equally. This works for anyone with a fringe, on most lengths and textures, for everyday and festival wear. Style the bangs first, then gather the rest into two level buns.
Who it suits: Anyone with bangs or a fringe.
13. Festival Glitter Space Buns
Adding glitter gel or a few gems along the parting turns space buns into a full festival hairstyle, the sparkle tracing the part and catching the light with every move. It is playful, endlessly photogenic and, best of all, easy to wash out afterward with normal shampoo. This suits festivals, parties and themed events on any length or texture. Set your space buns first, then run glitter gel along the part with a fingertip or press small gems into place with a dab of cosmetic glue, letting everything set for a minute before you move.
Who it suits: Festivals, parties and themed events.
14. Boho Messy Space Buns
The most undone version - loose, tousled buns with plenty of pieces left out for a soft, dreamy boho vibe. It reads relaxed and pretty rather than neat, and the deliberate looseness makes it feel romantic and effortless. It suits wavy texture especially, where the natural movement adds to the tousled effect, and it is lovely for festivals, beach days and easygoing weekends. Gather each side loosely, coil into soft buns, then gently tease them wider and pull out generous face-framing and background pieces, misting with sea-salt spray to keep the airy, undone texture.
Who it suits: Wavy hair and a relaxed, boho aesthetic.
15. Middle Part Space Buns
A crisp middle part between the two buns gives a balanced, symmetrical look that feels clean and intentional, splitting the hair evenly so both buns get the same amount. The clear, straight line is what makes space buns look tidy and deliberate rather than thrown together. This suits anyone whose features suit a centre part, and works across lengths and textures for everyday and dressed-up looks. Draw the part with the end of a rat-tail comb from forehead to nape for a clean line, then gather each side and match the buns in size and height for perfect symmetry.
Who it suits: Anyone who suits a center part.
Tip: Use a rat-tail comb for a clean, straight part.
16. Side Space Buns
Setting the buns slightly to the side or at different heights gives a fresh, modern twist on the classic symmetrical style, breaking the expected mirror-image and adding a bit of edge. It is a fun, low-effort way to switch up a look you have worn a hundred times. This suits anyone wanting something a little different, and works on most lengths and textures for casual and going-out days. Part off-centre or set one bun higher than the other on purpose, keeping the placement deliberate and balanced enough that the asymmetry reads as a choice rather than an accident.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting something a little different.
17. Mini Space Buns
Tiny buns made from just a small section of hair give a subtle, cute detail while the rest of your hair stays down, so it is a dainty, low-commitment nod to the trend. Because the buns are so small, the look feels delicate and everyday rather than statement, and it takes seconds. This suits anyone wanting a subtle version on most lengths and textures. Take just a little hair from each side near the crown, coil into two mini buns, secure with small elastics and a pin each, and leave the rest of your length loose and smooth below.
Who it suits: Anyone wanting a subtle nod to the trend.
18. Scarf-Wrapped Space Buns
Wrapping each bun with a printed silk scarf adds colour, print and a retro-cute finish, giving a simple style an instant vintage-inspired lift. The fabric also hides elastics and adds grip, which is especially useful for finer hair that struggles to hold a bun. This suits anyone who loves a printed accessory, and works across lengths and textures for everyday and events. Coil each bun first, then wind the scarf firmly around the base, tie or tuck the ends underneath out of sight, and pick a print that ties in with your outfit for a pulled-together look.
Who it suits: Anyone who loves a printed accessory.
19. Crimped Texture Space Buns
Crimping the hair before styling gives fuller, more textured buns with a fun retro edge, the zigzag kinks adding body that makes each bun look bigger and more sculptural. The extra volume is a genuine trick for fine hair, which can otherwise make thin, wispy buns. This suits fine hair wanting volume and anyone after a retro look, on most lengths. Run a crimping iron through sections before gathering, then coil each crimped ponytail into a bun; the texture instantly makes the buns fuller and helps them grip without much product.
Who it suits: Fine hair wanting volume; retro looks.
Tip: Crimp before gathering for instantly bigger, fuller buns.
20. Sleek Buns with Laid Edges
Pairing sleek buns with laid, styled edges gives a polished, on-trend finish that looks put-together and chic, the smoothed baby hairs framing the face and completing the clean look. The laid edges are the detail that lifts a simple sleek bun into something considered and current. This suits anyone who loves a sleek, styled-edge finish, and works across textures once the roots are smoothed. Smooth the buns flat first, then use edge control and a small brush to shape and swirl the baby hairs into soft curves, setting them with a scarf for a minute so they hold.
Who it suits: Anyone who loves a sleek, styled-edge finish.
Tip: Use edge control and a small brush to lay and swirl your edges.
How to Choose the Right Space Buns for You
Match the placement and finish to your occasion and hair. High, messy buns are fun and casual - perfect for festivals, the gym or a relaxed day out. Low, sleek buns read more polished and office-friendly. Half-up space buns are a great compromise if you love your hair down. For hair type, curly and textured hair gives gorgeous voluminous buns, fine hair benefits from crimping or a scarf for fullness, and short hair does best with low, mini buns and extra pins. When in doubt, leave a few face-framing pieces out - it softens any version and flatters the face.
Styling and Hold Tips
Space buns actually hold better on second-day hair, so do not worry if your hair is freshly washed - add a little dry shampoo or texture spray for grip. Secure each bun with a snag-free elastic, then cross two bobby pins under it in an X to lock it in place. Mist with a flexible hairspray to set, and use edge control if you want a sleek finish. For extra security on a long day, tuck and pin any loose ends into the bun and add one more pin than you think you need.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is uneven placement - if the two buns are not level and mirrored, the whole look reads off, so use a clean part and check both sides in a mirror. The second is pulling them too tight, which is uncomfortable and can stress your hairline; keep a little softness at the root. And do not skip the pins: relying on the elastic alone means the buns loosen and slip, especially on fine or freshly washed hair. A couple of crossed bobby pins under each bun keeps them cute all day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you do space buns?
Part your hair down the middle into two even sections, tie each into a ponytail at the height you want, then twist or wrap each ponytail around its base into a bun and secure with an elastic and crossed bobby pins. Add texture spray for grip and pull out a few face-framing pieces.
Do space buns work on short hair?
Yes. Short and bob-length hair can do low mini space buns using a little product for grip and extra pins. Any too-short pieces can be pinned back or left out as a soft design feature.
How do you get space buns to stay in place?
Prep with dry shampoo or texture spray for grip, secure with a snag-free elastic, then cross two bobby pins under each bun in an X. Set with flexible hairspray. Second-day hair holds best.
Are space buns good for curly hair?
Curly hair makes beautiful, voluminous space buns. Gather gently rather than brushing to keep definition, leave some curls out at the front, and secure with pins - the texture gives the buns lovely fullness.
What occasions are space buns good for?
Space buns suit festivals, concerts, the gym, casual days out and playful everyday looks. A low, sleek version also works for school or a relaxed office, and a glittered or accessorized version is great for parties.
Which space buns look are you saving?
Space buns are proof that a cute hairstyle does not have to be complicated - most of these take under ten minutes and only need a couple of elastics and some pins. Pick the version that matches your hair length and the vibe you are going for, and keep a few saved for your next getting-ready moment. Save your favourites and have fun with them.
